BoxRec

12 rounds

Cooney, anywhere from 5th to 8th round KO.

At best, Mathis Sr. would have his moment by outboxing Cooney behind his long jabs and combinations in the early rounds, but eventually Cooney would catch up with Mathis with jabs and body punches before he nail him with a crushing left hook that KO him in 7 rounds. If Mathis who was knocked out by Ron Lyle, would be getting knock out early by Cooney in 3 rounds at least.

Not sure I agree with a Cooney win.

Big left hook, so so chin and not much else. Buster was a big guy and I could see Buster outboxing Gerry and dropping him to take decision.

You don't share the ring with Frazier, Ali, Quarry, Chuvalo and Lyle (ok didnt last long with Lyle, but prime Lyle would eat Cooney up) and not know what you are doing or handling some one, who was for all intent purposes, pretty one dimensional.

NazNaci1 wrote: ↑18 Dec 2023, 17:15 Not sure I agree with a Cooney win.

Big left hook, so so chin and not much else. Buster was a big guy and I could see Buster outboxing Gerry and dropping him to take decision.

You don't share the ring with Frazier, Ali, Quarry, Chuvalo and Lyle (ok didnt last long with Lyle, but prime Lyle would eat Cooney up) and not know what you are doing or handling some one, who was for all intent purposes, pretty one dimensional.

I agree with almost everyone you say. Your assessment of Buster's abilities is accurate, and indeed, he might very well have outboxed Cooney and possibly even dropped him (Gerry's chin wasn't the best).

But, on the other hand, Cooney's height and reach, together with his excellent combination punching ability, offensive capacities and - most of all - extraordinarily powerful left-hook, mean he could very well have beaten Buster.

I say this fight is close to 50/50, with each guy having a near equal shot at emerging victorious.

If I had to bet on either guy, I'd probably take a chance on Gerry. But I wouldn't bet much.